Page 63 of Cry of the Damned
″I’ll go out there with Rob to keep watch.” Maki hurried outside.
As the warehouse’s back door closed behind us, my sensitive ears picked up Novuk’s nervous words.
″There’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you for a very long time.”
The metal door clicked shut, cutting the rest of the conversation off.
″I hope that goes well,” Kall said.
I knew how conflicted Bethel was, and I wasn’t sure she would be able to give Novuk what he wanted or needed.
When we entered the woods in the back of the warehouse, Kall pulled me to him, my body tight against his. He ran a hand through my hair, a smile stretching his lips.
″It’s so long and beautiful,” he said.
My hair was now shoulder length, and I was surprised by how much I was enjoying the way it felt.
Kall slid that hand down, then splayed at the small of my back, while the other cupped my face. His beautiful emerald eyes sparkled as he lowered his lips to mine and kissed me softly and slowly. The scent of his musk filled my senses, and I felt my insides melt with familiarity.
He pulled away. “Soon, everything will be perfect.”
I frowned, wondering what he meant exactly.
″You destroyed the Academy,” he elaborated. “We’re finally rid of it, and it’s anyone’s guess how our kind will benefit, how our lands will change. We may return to some of our past glory. Only the future will tell.”
We still weren’t done, and I didn’t feel as certain as he did. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”
Tenderly, Kall slid his thumb across my cheekbone. “I know you’re worried, but I’m not. After seeing what you did…” He shrugged, looking at a loss for words. “We had legends about the Firebeast.”
My eyes widened at the name.
″They’re told by the campfire,” he went on. “I still remember being a little boy and huddling in fear while elders told stories passed down for generations.”
″Firebeast? Is that what it’s called? I… I somehow knew that.”
″I’m not surprised. The Firebeast carries the power of our ancestors, especially those who suffered injustices. Many people who have unsettled scores vow, with their last breath, to join the beast after death and to seek retribution. It is no wonder you obliterated our enemies. Our people have suffered untold horrors since the settlers came, and their rage had built up and built up. Have no doubt, Sheela, we will leave this place with the children, and we will rebuild our pack.”
Hearing him say it, I could almost picture us back in Tanisi, the school filled with children, Nosh cooking by the fire telling his outlandish stories about Skews in Atlanta or other cities, Ila attending to babies with colic, happily making remedies…
″If only… my mother could be here.”
″You would have made her proud, the way you have made all of us proud. I love you, Sheela.”
I looked up at him, staring directly into his beautiful eyes, and felt a stirring in my heart. I turned away from him and started strolling through the woods. I had much to think about, much to understand. My life had turned out nothing like I’d expected.
In fact, it was so much better.
Now, if only I could sort out my feelings.
CHAPTER 26
Everyday,MakiandI made the long walk to George and Heather’s house. He insisted that he should be the one there, waiting for Ila when she returned from her cooking duties.
On the first day, Maki sat in the guest bedroom with Ila’s slumbering shape, and when she arrived in Diana’s body, he rushed out of the bedroom to meet her.
I was surprised when he hugged Ila, his arms barely going around her host’s wide shape. When he pulled back, there was a pinched expression on his face that he tried to hold back, except, under Ila’s scrutiny, he failed miserably.
She gave him a raised eyebrow, and he burst out laughing.
